Mumbai, Oct. 14 -- Ahead of local body polls, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Monday announced that from November 15 onwards auto rickshaws in Vasai-Virar will have to run on meter and charge passengers as per the rates set by the state government. For years now, passengers in the region have been facing issues with drivers charging exorbitant rates even for short distances. Following several complaints from residents, Sneha Dube, BJP MLA from Vasai on Monday approached Sarnaik, requesting him to look into the matter. Subsequently, he called for a meeting with officials from the transport department and traffic police from the Vasai-Virar region. In the meeting, Dube highlighted the plight of commuters that auto drivers charge unreasonably high rates and refuse to charge as per meter. After acknowledging the issue, Sarnaik specified that share-auto rickshaws will be allowed to run on routes from railway stations to various places for rates that are currently being charged. For those rickshaws taking separate rides, it would be mandatory to run on meter. Sarnaik also asked the concerned authorities to take strict action against those not charging as per meters. "RTO officials and traffic police will take stringent action against violators."...